"Your horse suddenly went wild without warning?" Princess Wencheng's and General Jiang's faces darkened with fury.
By now, it was clear: someone had deliberately targeted Ah Zhen. If they couldn't figure that out, all their years of experience would have been for nothing.
"Investigate immediately!" Princess Wencheng demanded through clenched teeth, her anger palpable. "I want to know who had the audacity to act against Ah Zhen!"
"Ah Zhen, how did you escape?" General Jiang asked, his worry evident.
When they found her, she was remarkably unharmed—no signs of injuries.
Gu Shengyin's mind flashed to Ji Yu's face, and a soft blush crept up her cheeks. "Someone appeared out of nowhere and saved me," she said. "But he left immediately after. I don't know who he was."
Neither the General nor Princess Wencheng noticed her blush, attributing it to lingering shock. Seeing her weariness, they refrained from questioning her further and sent her to her room to rest.
Though the incident involving Jiang Yunshan was carefully concealed, traces of suspicion still lingered. Princess Wencheng quickly set her sights on Jiang Yunshan but held back. Without hard evidence, she couldn't act rashly.
"Is Mother doubting me?" Jiang Yunshan's voice wavered with feigned hurt. "Although I am not your biological daughter, I've always treated you with the utmost respect and humility over the years. I've never dared to disobey my older sister, yet Mother suspects me of harboring ill intentions?" She knelt dramatically and continued, "If Mother truly thinks this, I might as well end my life to prove my innocence!"
She moved as if to strike her head against a pillar, though it was clear she wouldn't succeed.
Internally, Jiang Yunshan sneered. I am already the Crown Prince's secondary consort. Without solid evidence, Princess Wencheng can't do anything to me.
Sure enough, Princess Wencheng waved her hand dismissively. "Enough. Leave."
Back in her quarters, Jiang Yunshan stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her elegant gown accentuated her delicate features, and her demeanor exuded grace and charm.
So this is what power feels like, she thought. If she had remained a lowly illegitimate daughter, Princess Wencheng wouldn't have hesitated to dispose of her, evidence or not.
But this isn't enough. Being merely a secondary consort to the Crown Prince wasn't enough to challenge the influence of the Jiang family—a colossal force.
After Jiang Yunshan departed, Princess Wencheng slammed her teacup onto the ground, shattering it.
"Your Highness, please calm yourself," her loyal attendant, who had served her since childhood, pleaded.
"Did you see her arrogance?" Princess Wencheng hissed. "She truly thinks her position as the Crown Prince's secondary consort places her above me!"
Her expression turned icy as a sinister thought crossed her mind. "Let's see how much power she holds when she can't produce an heir."
Princess Wencheng's tone was colder than winter itself. Compared to her, Jiang Yunshan was far too inexperienced in the game of politics.
Meanwhile, a stack of documents had landed on Ji Yu's desk. He scanned the contents, his gaze sharpening when he saw Jiang Yunshan's name.
"This woman again?" he muttered, his expression one of utter disdain.
He smirked coldly. "So, Aunt Wencheng has already made her move? Removing her ability to bear children may hinder her ambitions, but I think that's far too lenient. If she wants to compete with Ah Zhen, then strip her of everything—her status, her beauty, her pride. Let her watch as everything crumbles."
With just a few words, Ji Yu sealed Jiang Yunshan's fate.
Elsewhere, Gu Shengyin was deep in conversation with the system.
"Do you think I should get revenge on Jiang Yunshan myself?" she asked.
The system's voice was calm and composed. "Host, someone has already taken action on your behalf. Jiang Yunshan won't remain a threat for much longer. In this world, all you need to do is be serene and live as a cherished beauty."
Gu Shengyin felt a twinge of exasperation. "Then what was the point of me being here?"
The system paused for a moment before replying, "Perhaps your role is to inspire Ji Yu, the hidden mastermind of this world, to fulfill his potential. He'll work tirelessly to secure the kingdom's prosperity and rise to the pinnacle of success—all because of you."
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